Travis Kelce is used to headlines about his on-field performance or his high-profile relationship with global pop star Taylor Swift.
But this time, it’s not touchdowns or concert cameos sparking conversation-it’s back hair. And Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins has joined the party with a tongue-in-cheek comment that’s going viral in its own right.
A recent shirtless photo of Kelce, taken after a swim, made the rounds online and quickly became the subject of light-hearted ridicule due to his notably hairy back. The image caught the attention of fans and celebrities alike, including Cousins, who shared his humorous take during an interview with E! News.
“God bless Taylor Swift for being good with that,” Cousins quipped. “That’s awesome. Good for her.”
Cousins, known more for his clean-cut image than internet jokes, surprised fans with his light jab. His reaction adds to the growing list of public figures who have acknowledged Kelce‘s transformation from NFL star to global celebrity-one who now finds his every move, and every follicle, under scrutiny.
Cousins keeps it light as Kelce’s profile skyrockets
The Falcons quarterback continued to joke about the situation, crediting genetics for his own lack of such hair challenges. “Thankfully, I don’t have to deal with that, but I’m in a locker room a lot,” he said. “That’s just a part of life. It is what it is.”
Though Cousins doesn’t share Kelce‘s athletic accolades-or apparent grooming challenges-he offered the comment in good fun. Now 36, Cousins is facing his own crossroads in the league.
Following a move to Atlanta in 2024, he was quickly supplanted by rookie Michael Penix Jr., spending the 2025 season as a mentor and backup while speculation swirls about his future.
Kelce, meanwhile, has seen his production dip slightly in recent seasons but remains a key part of the Chiefs’ offense. His fame has surged beyond the gridiron since linking up with Swift in late 2023, and while that has brought new fans and media attention, it also brings viral moments like this one.
And while the commentary on Kelce’s back hair is mostly in jest, it’s a humorous reminder of how different the spotlight can be when you’re half of America’s most-watched couple. For Swift, Cousins’s comments suggest admiration, not just for her pop superstardom-but for her patience.
As both players potentially enter the twilight of their careers, their differing paths still find overlap in the NFL’s culture of camaraderie, media antics, and locker room humor. Kelce‘s legacy as a tight end is secure, but for now, it’s his off-field body hair-and Swift‘s apparent indifference to it-that’s capturing everyone’s attention.
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